News & Politics

Only July 17, Congress voted to rescind federal funding for public broadcasting. The bill is now headed to the President’s desk and will be signed into law very soon.

Only July 17, Congress voted to rescind federal funding for public broadcasting. The bill is now headed to the President’s desk and will be signed into law very soon.

from KCRW Features

Paramount-Skydance deal creeps forward; ‘South Park’ creators lawyer up

As the Paramount-Skydance merger moves along, incoming execs Jeff Shell and David Ellison turn their attention to flagship property “South Park.”

Will Trump lose support from his base over handling of Epstein case?

Donald Trump’s newest beef is with the MAGA movement. Could the honeymoon be ending? Plus, is tourism to the United States in trouble?

Meet the lawyer fighting racial profiling in LA immigration raids

After a judge blocked federal agents from carrying out “indiscriminate” raids and denying detainees access to lawyers, an attorney says compliance is “spotty.”

LA restaurants rely on immigrants. With ICE raids a constant threat, many are taking precautions to stay within the law, even if the raids are lawless.

from KCRW Features

LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who represents parts of the northeast and Downtown LA, weighs in on recent immigration raids in her district.

from KCRW Features

Trump’s budget gives ICE $75 billion for recruitment and the construction of new jails. Historically, police expansions are rife with corruption.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Senator Alex Padilla says the vast majority of people getting caught up in Trump’s immigration raids and detentions are those without serious criminal convictions.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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The Santa Ana Unified School board voted to rename John C. Fremont Elementary after a family who helped end school segregation in California.

Santa Ana school renamed in honor of local Latino family

The Santa Ana Unified School board voted to rename John C. Fremont Elementary after a family who helped end school segregation in California.

from KCRW Features

The Mount Wilson Observatory’s annual series called "Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome" includes shows honoring space exploration and survivors of the January wildfires.

Mount Wilson hosts ‘Concerts in the Dome,’ featuring astronauts

The Mount Wilson Observatory’s annual series called "Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome" includes shows honoring space exploration and survivors of the January wildfires.

from KCRW Features

President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” eliminates federal tax credits for new and used EVs and plug-in hybrids purchased after September 30, 2025.

CA has embraced EVs. What will happen when federal tax credits end?

President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” eliminates federal tax credits for new and used EVs and plug-in hybrids purchased after September 30, 2025.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The number of immigrants leaving the U.S. this year may surpass the number of those who arrive. Liberal and conservative economists warn of impacts.

More immigrants may leave the US than arrive in 2025, economists warn

The number of immigrants leaving the U.S. this year may surpass the number of those who arrive. Liberal and conservative economists warn of impacts.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In March, President Trump signed an executive order to begin shuttering the Department of Education.

Dept. of Education firings are allowed to continue, says SCOTUS

In March, President Trump signed an executive order to begin shuttering the Department of Education.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Lawmakers toured the high-security immigration detention center called Alligator Alcatraz, where conditions differ depending on who you ask.

Alligator Alcatraz: What did lawmakers see when touring the detention center?

Lawmakers toured the high-security immigration detention center called Alligator Alcatraz, where conditions differ depending on who you ask.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A federal judge says ICE has been racially profiling people it detains at raids in California. And a second judge says the LAPD has been targeting journalists at anti-ICE protests.

Federal judge blocks ICE from indiscriminate raids in SoCal

A federal judge says ICE has been racially profiling people it detains at raids in California. And a second judge says the LAPD has been targeting journalists at anti-ICE protests.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Tom Morello's new song, “Pretend You Remember Me,” is part of his first solo rock project in conjunction with the nonprofit CHIRLA.

Tom Morello teams up with immigration nonprofit on new song

Tom Morello's new song, “Pretend You Remember Me,” is part of his first solo rock project in conjunction with the nonprofit CHIRLA.

from KCRW Features

In May, the Trump administration said it would revoke student visas from some Chinese nationals. Now some LA Chinese students feel vulnerable and unsure about their future.

Chinese students are left uncertain after Trump threatens visa revocations

In May, the Trump administration said it would revoke student visas from some Chinese nationals. Now some LA Chinese students feel vulnerable and unsure about their future.

from KCRW Features

Dinos, race cars, superheroes! Kim Masters and Matt Belloni unpack summer 2025 box office trends + projections—from “F1,” to “Superman,” to “Fantastic Four.”

‘F1,’ ‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ and ‘Superman’ battle at the box office

Dinos, race cars, superheroes! Kim Masters and Matt Belloni unpack summer 2025 box office trends + projections—from “F1,” to “Superman,” to “Fantastic Four.”

from The Business

The Rent Brigade says that six months after the January wildfires in Southern California, some landlords are still engaging in rent gouging.

Rent gouging enforcement ‘nonexistent’ 6 months after LA fires, says watchdog

The Rent Brigade says that six months after the January wildfires in Southern California, some landlords are still engaging in rent gouging.

from KCRW Features

Republicans accuse Democrats of playing partisan games following deadly floods in Texas. How soon is too soon to ask difficult policy questions after a tragedy?

Are Democrats playing partisan games after deadly Texas floods?

Republicans accuse Democrats of playing partisan games following deadly floods in Texas. How soon is too soon to ask difficult policy questions after a tragedy?

from Left, Right & Center

Right-wing figures who stoked conspiracy theories about alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, and some on the left, aren’t buying the DOJ’s assessment that there’s no further…

DOJ review of Epstein case provokes anger among Trump’s biggest supporters

Right-wing figures who stoked conspiracy theories about alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, and some on the left, aren’t buying the DOJ’s assessment that there’s no further…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A number of Republicans opposed Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” then voted for it anyway. Is Trump more powerful than ever?

Are Republicans bowing to Trump even more than they used to?

A number of Republicans opposed Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” then voted for it anyway. Is Trump more powerful than ever?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand